On October 2nd, 2017 MTV released the season finale of their new show ‘Siesta Key’ with a cliffhanger involving controversial star of the show Alex Kompothacreas. In the last few seconds they show him making a call to other star of the show, Madisson Hausberg, with a wired shut jaw. On January 15th, 2018 the show returned finally giving fans the answers to what exactly happened to Kompothacreas. Kompothacreas says he was at a bar in Tampa minding his own business, when out of nowhere a random kid came to him talking negatively about him because he has money. He says you can tell the kid was jealous, and he chose to be mature about the situation and not act out of hand. That’s when he says he made the mature decision to leave. When he exited the club, he says the boy approached him and punched him right in the jaw, now he’s left with a broken jaw for no reason. But, according to the person who threw the punch that doesn’t seem to be the truth. According to the puncher, who chooses to keep his name private, says that’s not how the encounter occurred at all. In his perspective, Kompothacreas was the instigator of the fight the entire night. “He was being obnoxious the entire night. He was in his section screaming that he could buy the club. According to news articles written about the situation Kompothacreas was escorted out by security after the altercation occurred inside the club. He couldn’t point out exactly who punched him, so no charges were pressed. However, the puncher did say he received multiple letters in the mail from Gary Kompothacreas, Alex’s dad who owns 1-800-Ask-Gary, threatening to press charges, but nothing ever went through.

Scrutiny in the makeup industry is at an all time high right now. With many different products being released, the excitement continues to build for everyone involved in the makeup world. But, for thousands of people, they can get excited if they want, but they won’t get a chance to experience the different products. Makeup companies have started a trend of creating many different color shades for fair toned skins, and leaving out the darker skin tones. Recently, the very popular makeup brand “Tarte” released their new foundations following their #1 concealer the “tarte shape tape.” . When Tarte introduced this foundation to the beauty world they instantly got backlash for 13 of the shades being targeted to only lighter skin tones. Youtube beauty guru Nicol Concilio was one of the first well known people to release her comments on the foundation: “I am a little disappointed in this. I cannot imagine being a person and wanting to try a foundation and them not even making a color for my skin tone.” She goes onto say, “I apologize this is an issue you have to go through. I can’t even imagine, I truly hope Tarte is able to expand their line. In my opinion, you can take away a lot of these shades.” Makeup artists are beginning to use their large platforms to talk about the situation, which is helping immensely for women of color to be given their opportunity to join in on the makeup craze. But, using our own voices as well can help put a stop to this discrimination and give everyone a fair shot at using products to make them feel beautiful.

The story topic I feel most motivated to write about is a personality profile. The reason I feel drawn towards this is because the thought that each of us has our own story to tell about our lives really interests me. Think about it, absolutely none of us have had the same walk through life. Each of us were given different opportunities, each of us have a different outlook, and each of us have had different experiences that shape who we are today. For example, I went to my first funeral at a very young age, and in high school I came across someone my senior year who had never been to one because we never experienced what it was like to lose someone. “Faces of New York” is a project done by taking a picture of a citizen from New York City and then proceeding to tell what that person has been through in their life. That is how I want to conduct my service journalism project.

Seasons come and go, but for Florida State fans football season is forever. With high expectations comes a level of extreme disappointment. Getting defeated by Virginia Tech, squeezing out a win against Samford, and getting dismantled by Syracuse the future doesn’t look too bright. However, for some reason, Florida State fans see a light at the end of the tunnel. Florida State University graduate, Cass Miller, has yet to give up on her beloved Seminoles. “People are so quick to blame our new head coach, but not willing to look at the mess he inherited” Cass said. “He took a team whose coach left them with no warning, basically gave up half way through the season last year, and people expect all the problems to be fixed in a day.” Players aren’t letting this bump in the road slow them down either. Junior linebacker Dontavious Jackson knows this isn’t the time to dwell on what happened in the previous game but look forward with higher expectations to the next opponent. “S*** sucks man. Obviously, this isn’t the team people are expecting us to play as, and I know we’re constantly letting people down. I just hope they don’t give up on us.” The 1-2 season has started, and there’s no changing it. However, much is at stake. If Florida State does not turn the season around they have two things at risk: the longest streak in the nation for consecutive bowl game appearances and their 5 game with streak against arch rival the Florida Gators. With so much at stake, failure is not an option.

For my interview I chose one of my best friends, Trevon Duval. His story is an interesting one to tell because of how much of a rollercoaster his life the past three years has been. Being the number one player in his position in high school, to being the number five player in the nation and then going on to the biggest college basketball platform in America at Duke University, at 18 he had a lot on his plate. Typically, when you go to a school such as Duke you’re going to be considered a “one and done” meaning you go play a year, and then you go to the league. Which is what Trevon did, but his story has a lot more twists than his other teammates. To prepare for my interview I wanted to make sure my questions I asked were detailed, but not too detailed to the point where it may strike a negative emotion in him. Luckily, we have a previous relationship formed so it wasn’t hard going into this asking him these questions.

Growing up, Trevon Duval had dreamed of the day he heard his name at the NBA draft. Being the #1 point guard in his class, #5 overall player in his class, and attending one of the most prestigious basketball schools in the country, Duke University, the odds of his dream coming true looked perfectly in place. Unfortunately, when the day arrived it didn’t go as he had hoped. Today, Duval plays on the Milwaukee Bucks with a two way contract after being free agented immediately after the draft to the Houston Rockets. Questions I plan on asking are:
1) What was going through your mind when you didn’t hear your name called?
2) What do you think you failed to do in your time in college?
3) How did this experience humble you?
4) Who was there for you the most when going through this experience?
5) In your opinion, what do you think the teams that passed up on drafting you were giving up?
6) How do you plan to use your story to inspire other?
7) Why do you think people have such strong opinions towards you?
8) People have labeled you many different things, how do you not allow that to affect your mentality?
9) Do you think others in the league look down on your for not being drafted?
10) How do you plan to improve throughout the off season?

Football, I know, not something you typically see a 21 year old girl put her passion into. But, this has been my passion since I was 12. I didn’t wake up one day and say “wow I love football!” Because, honestly, I hated it. It wasn’t until a person came into my life and changed my whole perspective. Around the age of 12, I was like every other typical girl, OBSESSED with Justin Bieber. At the time, my sister was a student at Florida State University and was all into the football, I couldn’t care less. She sent me a link one night to watch the fullback, Lonnie Pryor, for the Florida State football team sing along to “Baby” by Justin Bieber. I watched it a million times, and decided okay maybe I’ll give this football a chance. So, I watched a game, and then the next, and then the next. Each time, just making sure to watch my favorite player Lonnie. I finally got myself to Tallahassee to watch a game, and after ended up meeting Lonnie. And, after that day we literally became BFF’s. I went to almost every game after just to cheer for him. From his freshman year, to when he won MVP in his last college football game at the Orange Bowl, I was there to show my support. When he left, I didn’t think I would ever care about football again (and I shed a few tears.) But, it was the complete opposite. My love of football continued to grow, and continues to grow until this day. I wait every year for September, and when the season is over, just sit and wait for it to begin again. Throughout this blog I plan on showing you my insight in opinion for different college football games happening throughout the season!

Go Noles!

-Sydney

P.S- this blog is completely biased towards Florida State. You will never see anything positive about the University of Florida. Thank you.

 

Thanks for joining me!